As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, in collaboration with the Healthy Heart Foundation, the non-profit arm of First Cardiology Consultants, has signed a three-year partnership to provide accessible cardiovascular care and open-heart surgeries for over 360 underprivileged Nigerians.
The partnership, unveiled by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, during a formal event in Abuja on Wednesday, aims to remove financial barriers that prevent financially disadvantaged individuals from receiving essential cardiovascular treatments. The collaboration will run from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2027.
Beneficiaries will be selected from the foundation’s waitlist and through engagements with various hospitals, primary health centers, religious organizations, and online referrals. The partnership will offer a range of cardiovascular treatments, including open-heart surgeries, minimally invasive procedures like Percutaneous Cardiac Interventions (Coronary Angiograms and Angioplasties), and device insertions, such as Pacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators.
Under the agreement, the Healthy Heart Foundation will manage the selection of beneficiaries, while First Cardiology Consultants will handle the medical procedures.
Speaking at the event, Pate expressed the Federal Ministry of Health’s appreciation for the initiative, stating, “We are truly grateful for this remarkable partnership between FIRST E&P and the Healthy Heart Foundation, which exemplifies the power of collaboration across sectors. This initiative provides access to quality cardiac care for Nigerians at a critical time, addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
He said, “It is partnerships like this that will help us improve health outcomes, expand access to essential services, and ultimately save lives. On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health and all Nigerians, I extend my heartfelt thanks for this impactful intervention.”
The Chairman of the Board of FIRST E&P, Henry Ajumogobia, also emphasized the importance of this collaboration, saying, “Of the thousands of Nigerians that require heart surgery annually, only about 200 surgeries are carried out each year. At FIRST E&P, we are deeply committed to the well-being of our people, the prosperity of our communities, the preservation of the environment, and maintaining the highest standards of governance. We are pleased to provide funding to help bridge the gap in healthcare and provide critical care to those who need it most.
“Partnerships work best when the commitment is shared, and the expertise is complementary. This is exactly the case here, with partners who are deeply committed to creating social impact,” he said.
On his part, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Cardiology Consultants and Co-founder of the Healthy Heart Foundation, Dr Adeyemi Johnson noted, “We are honored to partner with FIRST E&P in this noble initiative. This collaboration marks the dawn of a new era of hope for those in need. Together, we embark on a journey to surpass limitations and save lives. The Healthy Heart Foundation stands resolute in our mission, recognising that together, we can rewrite the narrative of cardiac healthcare accessibility.”
In his closing remarks, the Managing Director of FIRST E&P, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, stated that the partnership with the Healthy Heart Foundation aligns with the company’s broader mission, which goes beyond energy development to include a strong commitment to the well-being of our communities.
“This ethos is reflected in our social development initiatives, which focus on three key areas: education, health, and enterprise development & job creation. By supporting programs like this, we ensure that our contributions in the energy sector are matched by efforts to improve lives,” Adeyemi-Bero added.
The FIRST E&P encourages individuals and corporations to join this mission by offering support through donations, volunteering, and raising awareness to make a meaningful impact in communities across Nigeria.
